OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[m-shaw]

Ive got a problem starting my 2001 model honda 400 ex.
when i press the start button the neutral like turns out and nothing else happens. i can clutch start my bike. any help would be appreciated

[buzzbro]

Flat battery, try jump startin it
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[m-shaw]

tried jump starting it and that worked but i do not think its the battery. i have checked it and it has 12 volts and the lights are bright without the quad being switched on.
i took it for a ride today and noticed when i try to start it, a clicking sound comes from a cylinder tube next to my battery.
it may be the starter motor is there a way to check that?

[nazzame]

i had same problem was the battery.

[my350yfm]

i had this problem when the starter motor was touching the aftermarket heel guard on my bike, the starter was arking out on the metal, i dont know if yours is the same problem it does sound similiar being the exact same bike, u should have a rubber piece that goes over the contacts. check this is intact and in place and try again. if not go and buy a rubber piece to fix the problem. hope this helps.
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03honda trx400ex

[v8toy]

starter brushes in the starter motor mate rip her out and drop her to ya bike mechanic should take about 30mins to fix her up if they have the brushes in stock we used to put suzuki ltf300 brush kit in honda starters half the price and are a better fix
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[660rSkinGraph]

m-shaw wrote:

i took it for a ride today and noticed when i try to start it, a clicking sound comes from a cylinder tube next to my battery. it may be the starter motor is there a way to check that?

dunno hwo the quote thing works but anyways.

i have a 01 yammy 660r, i had the same dealio problem as you, we took it too the bike shop and he said the starter clutch was on its way out.

taking a wild swing because not same bike but that could be your problem.

were the actulle starter clutch is, if u dont get it fixed it will get worse and blow a whole in the side, were abouts it is located cost u way more in the long.

hope all that can come to a conclusion for ya.

good luck
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660r cut sick

[m-shaw]

yeh i was thinking it was the starter motor. the only thing that has me puzzled is sometimes when i try to start it the neutral light will not come on, you cannot turn the headlights on and when you press the start button nothing happens.
i can get the neutral light to come on after a while of fiddling around moving the bike back and forth and going through gears.
makes me think there is something wrong with the wiring but i have no idea.

[v8toy]

easy things first mate

starting from the battery check the terminals these always come loose then follow the earth and check each connection to the frame etc etc and make sure there clean and tight, then do the same for the positive wiring from the battery it goes to the starter solenoid (small cylinder in rubber boot with to red boots on leads should be near battery) check each side of this for tightness and cleanliness also check the 4 pin plug that joins onto it (also could be a 2 pin) these are the wires that trigger it from your starter button, from there it goes down to the starter motor same thing should have a red boot covering the lead check this for tightness and cleanliness.

then if all that is good grab yaself a test light and put the earth/alligator clip onto the engine or frame and then put the other end onto the lead that goes onto the starter motor whilst holding it on hit the starter button off and on a few times if light lights up its more than likely starter brushes if light doesnt light up then move ya test prob back to the solenoid and do the same on each side of this it shoul have power on one side without the starter button pushed and on the other will have power when starter button pushed if this is good then check the little plug that joins to it from ya starter button on each wire the same way if all this still checks out do the same all again but whilst turning the handle bars from lock to lock (u might need a mate for this to hold the starter button and turn handles while u test with light).

if ya makin bets im goin for the starter brushes sounds way to familiar
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[660rSkinGraph]

m-shaw wrote:

i can get the neutral light to come on after a while of fiddling around moving the bike back and forth and going through gears.

i had the same probelm liek i said before.

it wasnt the starter motor it was the starter clutch.

if it does try to start does the starter motor just spin and not sound like it is engaging?
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660r cut sick

[priesty]

G'day mate, I had a similar problem with my ex, turned out to be a loose connection. If you look up under the LHF fender high up on the frame theres some electrical gizmo (remote starter solenoid ?)that has a square nut screwed onto it. The nut came loose & almost fell off on mine, after I tightened it up was all good. Worth a look anyway.

cheers.......
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08 700xx

[m-shaw]

the starter motor does not do anything as if there is no power on it.
i checked to see if the starter was getting power today and it is getting 12 volts but nothing electric works, eg neutral light and headlights.
i did find a loose connection in the cylinder box next to battery where the active of the battery first goes to but it didn't fix my problem.
it may need to go to the mechanic.

[660rSkinGraph]

well all my lights worked so maybe there is also a electrical problem.

my starter motor would run and stuff just wouldnt connect to start the bike so i had to rock it back and forth in a gear just to start it.

yea best bet take it to the mechanic for a better diagnoses and to find the correct solution
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660r cut sick

[v8toy]

if u got 12 -13v at the starter its the brushes in the starter for sure 100% positive on it.

all the starter clutch does is transfer the electrical energy to mechanical energy eg turning the flywheel to start the engine this will only be a problem if there is a problem mechanicaly with the meshing of the gears.

theres only one to find out though take it to ya mech and post the results

cheers
stewy
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[nazzame]

have you checked your fuse near battery ? i had to get a new battery for mine , old battery would let lights run when engine not running,but wouldnt crank motor, only way could get it to start was with a jumper pack, 1 plate was screwed,new battery all good.

[ben_400ex]

something that might be worth checking is the starter button itself.
I had the same problem with my EX the contacts in the button were stuffed it wasnt getting enough current (or something like that) anyways we put an aftermarket button on it and i havent had an issue since.

[v8toy]

yep thats another thing huskygoats pooolaris does exactly the same thing u gotta role ya finger on the button a bit to find its sweet spot
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[v8toy]

any luck in fixing this yet mate
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[buzzbro]

Come on mate we are bustin for an answer
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[m-shaw]

sorry for the late reply havent been on the computer for ages. it has been fixed, it ended up being a bad earth connection near the battery.
thanks for all the help.

[bullet]

Like V8toy said... simple things first.
lucky it was a cheap one too
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[v8toy]

good to now atleast if it ever hapens again u'll be right onto it
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